Toyota has announced its win of the Green Fleet Manufacturer at the Fleet News Awards, which shows “commitment” to improve environmental performance.

Presented at a ceremony in London this week, Toyota has said the honour reflects the company’s “commitment to constant improvement in the environmental performance not just of its vehicles, but every aspect of its worldwide business”.

The judges said: “Toyota’s commitment to environmental issues has been frequently dismissed over the years but the company was brave and stuck to its guns. It was the right thing to do.

“The environment is ingrained within the company – it’s part of its ethos. Toyota’s holistic approach covers every part of its business as it relentlessly seeks to drive down CO2, NOx and particulate emissions – true substance over style.”

Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050 sets high targets, including a 90% reduction in its vehicle carbon emissions, compared to 2010 levels.

This ambition is supported by the company’s plans for rapid, further electrification of its vehicle range, including annual sales of more than 5.5 million electrified vehicles (hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles), with one million of these producing zero harmful emissions.

Toyota and Lexus fleet sales general manager Neil Broad said: “The Green Fleet Manufacturer Award is great recognition for what we are trying to achieve throughout our business.

“Toyota was the motor industry’s pioneer of hybrid electric power and we are proud that we have constantly developed our technology so that we can provide fleet and business customers with a strong, viable and compelling alternative when it comes to choosing vehicles that are right for the job, are economic to run and can help meet environmental targets.”